Taking your child(ren) hunting...how young?

[BowmanSJ]

I don't think it is a matter of age as much as a matter of responsibility and understanding of the activity itself, but how do you know when your child(ren) are "old" enough to join you in your hunting activity?

My son has shown interest and asked to go hunting with me, but I really can't say I know he is ready to go with me, but it may be that I'm being too cautious and need to let him experience it for himself. Afterall, he is only 4.

Any advice?

[Captrix]

I started taking my son when he was 4. Make sure you take lots of snacks and drinks. I also let Shane take his video game with headphones. Also don't expect to see any deer and don't get upset if he scares them away. The first time I took Shane, he sneezed and scared a buck. We still laugh about it.

[Eric Pence]

I started mine at 3 or 4 but u cant expect more than a hour out of them and the Mornings are the best ...In the afternoon they are too restless by the "Witching Hour"

[Blood Trail]

My son Ethan hs been on two dove hunts with me. He's 2.5 yo.

[Captrix]

I've found that evenings are the best. Its hard to get Shane up in the morning. We take a nap and cook dinner before we head to the blind.

[big_smith]

I had my oldest in the stand with me at 4 months. He has hunted w/me every year since. Now him hunting and shooting is a different story. I did not take him when it was real cold, or make him sit for extended periods of time. A game boy and some snacks and he was happy. My younger son will not sit as long as my older boy would at the same age. I took him out last year in the middle of the day, sat for about an hour, saw one deer and he was happy. When he is ready to go in, he simply said, "Dad can we go back." He was happy, we had fun. He is not as mature as my older was at the same age, but that is OK.

[Tree Climber]

Have you tried taking him out fishing yet? I started taking my son fishing at that age and have worked him up to hunting. He's gone on a couple dove hunts with me this season so far and has done OK. It's still a lot of patience to ask of a six year old, but every child is different.

[Brinkley]

My little boy has been sitting in a stand with me since he was 2. We have killed a couple of deer together when he was 3 (rifle kills). We have not had a whole lot of luck bow hunting, but the memories out weigh what we see or kill by far. I have a new found love for the outdoors sharing it with my kiddos. I don't care if I ever kill a P&Y or booner as long as I get to sit in the stand with them and share the stars, sunrise, sunsets, rabbits, birds, nice breeze and the Lord!! DO IT! It will be the best hunting trip you ever been on!

[Daniel32]

I was actually thinking about this the other day and I have been hunting for over 20 years (I'm 26 now). I started when I was 5 years old going with my father, and I'm very thankful he introduced me to the outdoors at such a young age.

[Brinkley]

I started taking my son when he was 4. Make sure you take lots of snacks and drinks. I also let Shane take his video game with headphones. Also don't expect to see any deer and don't get upset if he scares them away. The first time I took Shane, he sneezed and scared a buck. We still laugh about it.

x2 on the snacks and some sort of activities. Hunter and I built our big box blind together and we write every date that we hunt together on the walls. If we happen to kill something we note that as well!

[BowmanSJ]

Thanks for all the replies.

I have figured that having such a young child out hunting would require patience nad lots of snacks, drinks, and some kind of entertainment when there isn't anything to really look at besides tree limbs and grass swaying in the breeze.

He has been fishing with me several times. He caught his first "big fish" (a 4" bass) last year at Brushy Creek Park. He likes going fishing but hard to catch fish when he doesn't keep the hook in the water! LOL. Yes..I know he is ony 4.

I went hunting/fishing with my grandfather and uncles when I was young (4-10) and remember every minute of it still today. I just want to pass on the tradition.

[txdukklr]

as soon as you can Bran (txkid12) was 5

[dangerous dan]

took mine @ 4

[Redneck Archer]

my son will probably be going next year. 2.5...

I dont expect to shoot anything or be out there to long, BUT that is what its all about.

[Hang'emHigh]

as you can see in my avatar my three boys like the outdoors. My oldest starten when he was three.Shot his first deer at 7 and arrowed his first javelina at the age of 8.All of my boys started around 3 with dove hunting and fishing. We just try to have a good time and sometimes dont stay to long. Take him and injoy the time spent in the stand with him it will be great.